The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-11-09
The Rochester POst-0fllce.

Hr. Editor;-The following was offered to
the Argus and Patriot for publication, but
the editor of that paper refused it; so we
hope that you will accord us a hearing in
your columns:
The following paragraph is found in the
editorial columns Of the Argus and Patriot
of September l4th: "Quite a number of re-
publicans over Rochester way seem to he in
a state of mind because Rev. George s.
Guernsey, postmaster there, will not vio-
late his oath of Office by neglecting to col
lect the rent for the boxes in the Office and
thereby perjure himself. Rev. Mr.. Guernsey
is a man who regards his word as good, to
say nothing of his oath, and Is simply doing
as he has sworn he would. Those who ask
him to do otherwise are asking him to for
swear himself. Have they ever thought of
this view of the matter? If not, it is time
they did"
To which we, few of the people of Roch-
ester, without distinction of party, make the
following remarks, and respectfully ask the
editor of the Argis and Patriot to publish
the same in said newspaper:
The first assertion in this paragraph is,
"Quite number of republicans over
Rochester way seem to be in a state of mind
because Rev. George S. Guernsey, post
master there, will not violate his oath of
Office" This is false and false in double
sense. First, the phrase "Qute number
of republicans" will cause the reader Of
this editorial to understand that few fac
tious republicans from political motives are
trying to embarrass the postmaster because
he is democrat of the Jeffersonian sim
plicity stamp. Whereas, the truth is that
the people of Rochester-democrats and
republicans, without distinction-are not
pleased with the measures of this reforma-
tory postmaster, which would enable him
to put in his own private pocket, in addition
to his legal salary Should he remain in office
the usual term of four years. about five hun
dred dollars
What is said in the paragraph of how the
Rev. Mr.. Guernsey regards his word and
oath we do not feel called upon at this time
to affirm or deny, as it has nothing TO do
with the question at issue in regard to this
new arrangement, which is a tax on the
people who do business at this post-of1ice
| which they have heretofore never been
! saddled with They regard this reform
| lover the left) as burden, and don't pro-
| pose to take stock in the arrangement.
Now, Mr.. Editor, the whole story about
| the Rochester post-oitice may be summed
| up as follows, to wit: Mr.. Guernsey has dis
carded the old case Of letter and paper tils
! for individuals and put up new post-offce
case with tills casually called letter-boxes,
for which he charges such rent AS the people
will not stand. They do not interfere with
him or ask him to violate his oath; they
simply refuse to pay such rent as he demands
| and leave him to manage his post-ot1ice, re-
ceiving, storing and delivering the mail as
he may choose 1t il not political party
question in the remotest degree. So far
from being snubbed by few republicans
the Sureties on his official bond are all repubH-
! cans.
We bring no charge against the editor OF
the ArgpS and Patriot for the paragraph re-
ferred to as found in the editorial column OF
said paper, believing he only penned what
had been communicated to him, oral or
written by some person ignorant of the
facts, or from malice aforethOught.